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American  Dramatists  Series 


Ctierpcljitti 


Peatrix  Eepnoltrg 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/everychildfairymOOreynrich 


EVERYCHILD 


American  Dramatists  Series 


EVERYCHILD 


Fairy  Music  Play  in  One  Act 


BEATRIX  REYNOLDS 


£VABTIet\6Rn>TIlft 


BOSTON:  THE  GORHAM  PRESS 

TORONTO:  THE  COPP  CLARK  CO..  LIMITED 


Copyright  19H.,  by  Beatrix  Reynolds 
All  rights  reserved 


The  Qorham  Press,  Boston,  U,  S.  A. 


EVERYCHILD 
Fairy  Music  Play  in  one  Act 


372213 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

Every  child,  a  little  girl wears  pink 

Mother  Do,  an  old  lady "  lavender 

Father  Do,  an  old  gentleman. .  "  purple 

Re "  indigo 

Mi "  blue 

Fa "  green 

Sol "  yellow 

La "  orange 

Si "  red 

Mrs.  Minor,  an  unhappy  woman  "  lilac 

Rhythm,  watchman "  scout  uniform 

Ragtime,  watchman "  torn  cape 

Melody,  beautiful  woman "  white 

Error,  witch "  hideous  green 

Dissonances,  slaves "  brown 

Fairy  Sharp "  rose  color 

Fairy  Flat "  hunter's  green 


SYNOPSIS  OF  SCENERY. 

Prologue. 
Music  Room  in  Everychild's  Home, 

Act  I. 

Scene  I — Garden  of  the  Major  Mode. 
Scene  II — Valley  of  Patience. 
Scene  III — Mountain  of  Struggle. 
Scene  IV — Land  of  Discord. 
Scene  V — Same  as  Scene  I. 


SYNOPSIS  OF  MUSIC. 

Selections  from  Schumann's  Scenes  from  Childhood. 

A  Curious  Story. 

Child  Falling  Asleep. 

Dreaming. 

Strange  Lands  and  People. 

Almost  Too  Serious. 

The  Poet  Speaks. 

Catch  me  if  you  can. 

Entreating  Child. 

The  Knight  of  the  Hobby  Horse. 

Frightening. 

Important  Event. 

Contentment. 


EVERYCHILD 

Music.     "  Curious  Story.'' 

PROLOGUE 

Music  room  in  modern  dwelling.  Piano  at  R. 
Couch  at  L.  Two  long  French  windows  in  rear, 
with  white  curtains.  EVERYCHILD  sits  at 
piano,  practising.  Each  time  she  reaches  a  certain 
point  she  stumbles  and  stops;  then  repeats  from  be- 
ginning just  as  fast  as  before.  Finally  she  gives  it 
up  in  despair  and  rises  and  walks  up  and  down, 
pouting  and  tearful. 

EvERYCHiLD — Oh,  why  did  I  ever  begin  taking 
music  lessons?  I  didn't  know  it  would  be  so  hard 
to  play — No  matter  how  much  I  try,  there  is  al- 
ways something  wrong. 

I've  practised  an  hour  already,  and  played  my 
new  piece  a  hundred  times  yet  I  always  make  the 
same  mistake. 

{Flings  herself  upon  the  couch  petulantly)  I'm 
9 


EVERYCHILD 

never  going  to  practise  again.  I  don't  care  what 
my  teacher  says.  No.  Nor  my  father,  nor  my 
mother — ^nor — nor — {Buries  face  in  pillows  and 
sobs.  Music  begins  Schumann's  ''Child  Falling 
Asleep*'  and  Everychild  relaxes  gradually  and 
sleeps. 

The  room  grows  darker  and  a  strange  light  glows 
at  the  window  L.  rear.  This  slowly  becomes  brighter, 
showing  a  curious  ladder  of  8  rungs  {the  third  and 
fourth;  and  seventh  and  eighth  rungs  are  twice  as 
near  together  as  the  other  rungs.)  Schumann's 
''Dreaming"  is  heard  faintly.  Everychild  lifts 
head  and  rubs  her  eyes  gazing  at  this  strange  thing. 
She  at  last  goes  over  to  it  with  hestitation,  and 
finally  gains  courage  to  climb  the  ladder.  As  she 
steps  on  each  rung  a  tone  of  the  major  scale  is 
sounded,  and  as  she  reaches  the  top  which  is  enveloped 
in  clouds,  the 

curtain  falls. 


10 


SCENE  /. 

The  Garden  of  the  Major  Mode, 

Birds  are  singing  in  a  garden  surrounded  by  a 
hedge  three  feet  high,  in  which  is  an  iron  gate. 
Through  the  gate,  a  little  distance  in  the  rear,  the 
two  uprights  of  a  ladder  are  seen  extending  above  a 
well-like  hole.  Far  in  the  distance  is  a  mountain, 
blue-gray  through  the  haze,  its  summit  touched  by 
sunlight.  At  the  foot  of  the  mountain  is  a  dark 
forest,  between  which  and  the  garden  is  low  country. 

Mother  Do  sits  quietly  knitting  L.  and  Father  Do 
smokes  his  pipe  in  contentment  opposite  her,  garden 
benches  stretch  in  a  semi-circle  between  them.  Six 
children.  Re,  Mi,  Fa,  Sol,  La,  Si;  are  playing  a 
circle  game,  laughing  and  singing. 

The  sound  of  EverychihTs  practising  reaches 
them  from  a  distance. 

Sol  gradually  releases  herself  and  leaves  the  game, 

looking  towards  the  scale  ladder  outside  the  gate. 

When  Every  child  again  makes  the  same  mistake  in 

her  piece  as  when  Sol  stopped  to  listen,  Sol  runs  out 

11 


EVERYCHILD 

of  the  gate  and  leans  far  over  the  well-like  hole, 
holding  out  her  arms  imploringly. 

The  children  have  withdrawn  to  one  side  L,  but 
their  voices  are  plainly  heard  in  joyful  clatter. 

Rhythm  in  scout  uniform  carries  a  drum  and 
marches  across  stage  on  his  patrol  L.  to  R. 

Father  and  Mother  Do  are  absorbed  in  meditation. 

Error,  the  witch,  in  a  long  cloak  of  black,  dragging 
a  net,  creeps  up  softly  behind  Sol,  and  throws  the  net 
over  her  head,  then  hurries  her  off  L.  as  Sol  gives  one 
long  cry  of  distress,  and  the  children  and  their  parents 
rush  to  the  gate,  looJcing  in  both  directions. 

Children — (Calling)     Sol!    Dear  Sol! 

Mother  Do — (Wringing  her  hands)  It  is  Error ! 
(calls  wildly)     Rhythm! 

(Enter  Rhythm,  running.)  Error  has  stolen  my 
little  daughter.  Children,  how  could  you  let  her 
go  out  of  the  garden  alone? 

(Presses  hands  to  her  eyes  but  makes  no  moan. 
Father  Do  looks  very  serious.  Rhythm  runs  out  L, 
quietly.) 

Father  Do — We  can't  do  anything  but  wait 


EVERYCHILD 

until  the  one  who  has  done  this  thing  grows  peni- 
tent. 

Re — ^Yes.     We  can  only  wait. 

Mi — Perhaps  it  won't  be  for  long. 

Fa — Let  us  go  on  with  our  games. 

La — ^Yes.     Come  on. 

{They  join  hands  and  begin  circle  game  once  more, 
hut  lack  enthusiasm.  Mother  Do  watches  them. 
Suddenly  the  game  stops.) 

Mother  Do — ^Why,  what  is  the  matter? 

Si — We  can't  play  anything  without  Sol. 

Re — Yes,  we  miss  her  terribly. 

(A  moan  is  heard  from  outside  R.) 

Mi — (Laughing)  Oh,  hear  old  lady  Minor! 
There  she  is  at  it  again. 

Father  Do — Don't  be  disrespectful  Mi.  You 
can't  understand  sorrow  only  because  you  have 
never  had  any,  and  as  long  as  you  stay  in  the 
Garden  of  the  Major  Mode  you  never  will  have 
any.  But  who  knows  how  long  that  will  be. 
Just  think  of  poor  little  Sol!  She  is  learning  to 
suffer! 

Ml — Yes,  Father  you  are  right. 
13 


EVERYCHILD 

{The  Major  scale  ascending  is  heard,  and  all 
look  towards  the  scale  ladder  end,  where  soon  Every- 
child  appears,  and  walks  into  their  gzrden,  looking 
bewildered.) 

Fa — Oh,  who  are  you  and  how  did  you  get  here? 

Ev — Where  am  I? 

La — She  doesn't  know  where  she  is. 

{All  laugh.) 

Ev — I  was  practising  my  new  piece — but  it 
wouldn't  come  right,  I  kept  playing  one  note  too 
low — 

Si — {Interrupting  y  and  pointing  at  Everychild) 
So  you  are  to  blame!  She  is  to  blame.  Mother, 
she  is  to  blame!  {Runs  to  Mother  Do  and  throws 
herself  at  her  feet.  Mother  Do  strokes  Si^s  hair 
and  turns  to  Everychild. 

Ev — {Curiously)     To  blame  for  what? 

Re — For  sending  poor  Sol  to  the  Land  of  Dis- 
cord. 

Ev — {Astonished)  I  sent  Sol  to  the  Land  of 
Discord!    Why,  I  never  even  saw  Sol! 

Mother  Do — She  didn't  mean  to,  children. 
14 


EVERYCHILD 

Don't  scold.    There   should  never   be   any   ill- 
feeling  in  the  land  of  Harmony. 

Ev — Is  this  the  Land  of  Harmony? 

Mi — Yes,  and  this  is  the  Garden  of  the  Major 
Mode.     Didn't  you  know? 

Ev — ^No.  Is  it  really?  How  wonderful!  I 
shall  always  understand  it  better  now  I've  seen  it. 
Tell  me  more  about  yourselves,  won't  you? 

(Children  arrange  themselves  on  the  garden  benches 
in  the  order  of  the  scale.  Mi  and  Fa  sit  closer  to- 
gether than  the  others  y  and  Si  sits  on  the  arm  of  her 
Mother's  chair.  A  vacant  place  is  left  for  SoL 
Everychild  still  stands.) 

Father  Do — ^How  did  you  get  here,  my  dear? 

Ev — {Puzded)  I  don't  exactly  know,  sir.  I 
lay  down  on  the  couch  in  our  music  room.  Then 
I  saw  a  ladder — right  in  the  room,  and  it  had 
never  been  there  before — and  I  heard  music — so 
I  climbed  up  the  ladder — and  here  I  am. 

Fa — {Importantly)  You  climbed  the  scale  lad- 
der. 

Mother  Do — Only  people  who  love  music  very, 

very  much  are  allowed  to  come  up  here 

15 


EVERYCHILD 

Once  the  little  Mozart  came.  A  darling  boy. 
I  shall  never  forget  him.  Do  you  remember. 
Father,  how  we  wanted  to  keep  him  here  with  us? 
How  glad  we  were  to  see  him!     {Father  Do  nods.) 

La — We  are  very  glad  to  see  you,  too. 

Si — ^What's  your  name? 

Ev — ^My  name  is  Everychild.  What  are  your 
names? 

Fa — Since  we  live  in  the  Garden  of  the  Major 
Mode,  can't  you  guess? 

Ev — ^No.  Isn't  it  a  lovely  place?  So  green  and 
fresh  and  sweet.     You  allseem  so  happy  too. 

Mother  Do — Sit  here,  my  dear.  {Points  to 
empty  seat  next  Fa.  Ev  seats  herself  in  SoVs  place. 
Mother  Do  points  to  her  husband)  That  is  Father 
Do. 

Re — ^And  I'm  Re. 

Mi— I'm  Mi. 

Fa— And  I'm  Fa. 

La — I'm  La. 

Si — And  I'm  Si. 

Father  Do — {Pointing  to  his  wife)     And  she's 
Mother  Do  who  takes  care  of  us  all ! 
16 


EVERYCHILD 

(Everychild  gazes  at  each  one  as  they  speak.) 

Ev — Oh,  I  didn't  know  you  were  a  real,  live 
family.  I  thought  you  were  just  notes.  Dull, 
stupid  notes ! 

(All  laugh  gleefully.) 

Ev — (Rising)     But  where  is  Sol? 

(Enter  Rhythm,  head  down,  disconsolate.  Every- 
child  points  to  him.) 

Is  that  Sol? 

La — (Turning)  No.  That  is  our  watchman, 
Rhythm.     He  can  play  the  drum  beautifully. 

Ev — Then  where  is  Sol?  There  are  six  of  you 
besides  the  Dos,  and  you  are  all  here  excepting 
Sol.  (Counts  on  fingers  and  sings)  Do,  Re,  Mi, 
Fa,  Sol 

Si — (Looking  at  Rhythm)     Too  late? 

Rhythm — (Dolefully)    Too  late? 

Re — (Sadly)     Error  has  captured  Sol! 

(Rhythm  begins  his  patrol,  once  more,  outside  the 
gate.) 

Mi — Error  is  an  old,  wicked  witch,  who  lives  in 
the  Land  of  Discord. 

Fa — Where  everything  is  ugly. 
17 


EVERYCHILD 

La — (Sighs)  We  don't  know  what  will  be- 
come of  poor  Sol! 

[A  moan  is  heard  from  outside  R.) 

Ey— (Startled)     What  was  that? 

Si — (Rising)  That's  only  Mrs.  Minor.  She 
lives  in  the  next  garden. 

Ev — Mrs.  Minor?  Why  does  she  make  that 
noise? 

Re — She's  imhappy.  They  all  are  over  there. 
(Points  R.) 

Ev — ^How  very  sad.     What's  the  matter? 

Mother  Do — Plenty  of  reason.  They  are 
always  trying  to  find  Happiness,  and  everyone 
knows  that  Happiness  lives  within  us  and  cannot 
be  sought  and  found. 

Ev — ^Does  she  live  alone? 

Mi — ^No,  she  has  a  husband  and  six  children, 
like  Mother.  (Enter  Mrs.  Minor  R.  dressed  in  dull 
lilac.     She  has  a  sweety  hut  very  sad  face.) 

Mother  Do — (Rising^  and  going  to  meet  her  at 
the  gate)     Good  morning.  Neighbor. 

Mrs.  Minor — (Gloomily)  May  I  borrow  some 
18 


EVERYCHILD 

herbs  of  you?    My  little  Me  is  not  so  well  as  she 
should  be. 

Ev  AND  THE  Children  (together)  (Rising  and 
making  courtesies)  Good  morning,  Mrs.  Minor. 
Isn't  it  a  beautiful  day !    (^Father  Do  rises  and  bows) 

Mrs.  Minor — ^What  pretty  manners  you  have, 
children.  Ah,  Mother  Do,  with  all  the  work  you 
have  to  do,  how  can  you  find  time  to  teach  them 
deportment? 

Mother  Do — I  always  seem  to  have  plenty  of 
time  for  the  graceful  things  of  life  as  well  as  the 
necessary  ones. 

Mrs.  Minor — The  scarcest  thing  in  life  seems 
to  be  time.     I  seem  to  have  nothing  but  trouble. 

Mother  Do — Some  of  the  blessings  must  come 
to  you,  too.     We  have  so  many  lovely  things  here. 

Mrs.  Minor — Yes,  you  are  always  happy. 
And  though  perhaps  we  ought  to  be,  we  never  are ! 

(Exit  Mother  Do  L.) 

Fa — But  your  children  are  beautiful,  doesn't 
that  give  you  pleasure  ? 

La — ^And  Mr.  Minor  is  so  kind  and  gentle. 
Doesn't  that  make  you  happy? 
19 


EVERYCHILD 

Mbs.  Minor — You  say  truly.  But  none  of  us 
are  ever  happy!  {Whispers)  Me  told  me  she 
thought  she  saw  Error  pass  this  way  today.  Be 
on  your  guard! 

Father  Do — She  was  here.  She  stole  our 
little  Sol! 

Mrs.  Minor — Caught  Sol!  Alas — ^And  you 
all  are  smiling  as  though  nothing  had  happened. 
I  cannot  imderstand  you  at  all! 

Mother  Do — {Enters  L.  with  herbs)  Yet  you 
don't  dislike  us,  I  am  sure,  for  you  so  often  help 
us,  and  let  us  help  you.  Here  are  your  herbs.  I 
hope  Me  will  soon  be  well.     {Gives  herbs  to  her) 

Mrs.  Minor — I  thank  you — But  I  do  not  un- 
derstand you.  I  trust  Sol  will  soon  be  restored 
to  you.  {Wipes  away  tears.)  It  grieves  me  very 
much  to  think  of  her,  poor  child!  {Exit  Mrs. 
Minor  R.  weeping.) 

Ev — {In  distress)  What  will  happen  to  Sol 
now  the  witch  has  caught  her?  How  did  the 
witch  catch  her? 

Si — ^You  were  to  blame  yourself.  You  said 
you  kept  making  a  mistake  in  your  piece. 


EVERYCHILD 

Re — ^It  was  always  the  fifth  note  in  the  key  that 
you  played  wrong.  That's  what  hurt  Sol.  She 
went  to  the  scale  ladder  to  help  you. 

Mi — ^And  Error  is  always  waiting  for  a  chance 
like  that,  and  she  saw  her — 

Fa — ^And  threw  a  net  over  Sol's  head,  and 
dragged  her  off  on  her  big,  black,  raven  horse — ^To 
the  Land  of  Discord. 

La— Poor  Sol! 

Mother  Do — She  will  be  most  imhappy  there , 
and  she'll  lose  her  beauty,  and  be  cruelly  treated 
by  Error  and  Old  Ragtime. 

Ev — How  awful!  And  it  was  all  my  fault. 
(weeps) 

What  shall  I  do?    What  shall  I  do? 

Si — (Hastily)  Don't  cry  or  you  will  have  to  go 
into  the  Garden  of  the  Minor  Mode.  Nobody 
cries  here! 

Re — There  is  only  one  way  we  can  get  her  back 
again.     Ask  the  Fairy  Sharp  to  help  us. 

Ev — (Hopefully)   Let  me  do  it.    Where  is  he? 

Mi — He  is  a  wonderful  being  who  lives  on  the 
mountain  there.  Do  you  see  it?  (Points  rear) 
21 


EVERYCHILD 

He  is  always  willing  to  help  any  of  us  when  we  get 
into  trouble,  if  you  can  only  reach  him. 

Ev — Is  he  so  hard  to  reach? 

Fa — ^The  mountain  is  very  hard  to  climb,  yes, 
but 

Ev — (Frightened)     But  what? 

L — (Sneeringly)  If  she  is  afraid,  we  had  better 
not  trust  her ! 

Ev — Oh,  please  tell  me. 

Si — Well,  the  truth  is  this.  The  one  who  goes 
must  want  to  go  with  all  her  heart. 

Ev — I  do.     I  do. 

Si — And  the  journey  is  long.     So  long ! 

Ev — ^No  matter. 

Re — One  must  cross  the  Valley  of  Patience, 
which  is  very  lonesome,  where  the  Fairy  Flat  lives ; 
who  will  not  let  you  go  to  the  Fairy  Sharp  if  he 
thinks  you  want  to,  because  he  is  jealous. 

Mi — ^The  Fairies  Sharp  and  Flat  are  both  good 
fairies,  but  they  are  jealous  of  each  other,  unless 
one  is  very  tactful  with  them. 

Ev — I  see. 

22 


EVERYCHILD 

Fa — Oh,  do  you?  Ha,  Ha,  Mother,  she  says 
she  sees! 

Mother  Do — Fa,  you  are  rude  to  our  guest. 
{Fa  hangs  her  head.) 

Father  Do — ^The  way  is  long  and  tiresome,  but 
in  passing  through  the  valley,  try  not  to  let  the 
Fairy  Flat  see  you,  and  when  you  have  climbed 
the  mountain,  don't  let  the  Fairy  Sharp  know 
whether  or  not  you  have  seen  the  Fairy  Flat. 

La — For  sometimes  Sharp  gets  peevish  and  then 
he  won't  do  anything  for  you. 

Ev — If  the  Fairy  Flat  sees  me  what  shall  I  say? 

Mother  Do — ^You  will  have  to  think  of  that 
for  yourself. 

{Ev  looks  beseechingly  from  one  to  the  other.) 

Ev — Won't  one  of  you  go  with  me? 

Father  Do — It  is  best  for  you  to  go  alone,  my 
child. 

Ev — Can't  Rhythm  go  with  me? 

Rhythm — {stops  suddenly  and  looks  at  Every- 
child.  He  has  just  entered  the  garden  R.)  It 
would  be  most  irregular.  Perhaps  old  Ragtime 
will  go. 

23 


EVERYCHILD     ' 

Si — ^Rhythm,  how  unfeeling. 

Ev— Who's  old  Ragtime? 

La — The  watchman  in  the  land  of  Discord. 
He  makes  me  very  nervous,  (whispers)  Rhythm 
is  not  very  friendly  with  him. 

Rhythm — I  heard  you,  La,  he's  a  very  grasping, 
selfish  man  who  cares  for  nothing  but  popularity. 

Mother  Do — {reaching  down  into  her  deep 
pocket.)     There,  there! 

Ah,  here  it  is.  (pulls  out  a  package  and  gives  it 
to  Ev.) 

Take  this  with  you  on  your  journey,  dear,  and 
when  you  are  tired  it  will  help  you. 

Ev — Oh,  thank  you.  Mother  Do. 

(Exit  Everychild  slowly,  looking  back.) 

All — Good-bye,   Everychild,   and  good  luck. 

(All  wave  hands  to  her,  even  Rhythm.) 

CURTAIN 

Music.  Schumann's 
*' Almost   too   Serious.'* 


U 


Music.    **  The  Poet  Speaks, " 

SCENE  IL 

Valley  of  Patience. 

The  chromatic  scale  descends  as  the  curtain  rises 
on  a  dark  forest  scene.  The  trees  are  so  tall  and  the 
underbrush  so  dense  that  there  is  no  view  of  the  dis- 
tance. Two  rocks  stand  in  center  rear  about  six 
feet  apart.     They  are  covered  with  moss  and  ferns. 

{Enter  Everychild  L  limping.     Gazes  about  her.) 

Ev — ^What  a  strange  place — This  must  be  the 
Valley  of  Patience.  I've  been  walking  in  circles, 
for  three  times  I've  come  to  these  two  rocks. 
{Points  to  rocks  in  rear.) 

That  is  just  like  what  you  read  about  in  stories. 
It's  terribly  lonesome.  I  almost  wish  I  would 
meet  the  Fairy  Flat.  I  wonder  where  he  is. 
{Glances  about  in  terror.)  Oh,  no,  no.  He  must 
not  see  me! — The  trees  are  so  tall  and  their 
shadows  are  so  deep  and  dark,  they  frighten  me. 
25 


EVERYCHILD 

{Shivers  and  sits  down  on  rock  R.)  I  am  very 
tired. — Oh,  the  parcel  Mother  Do  gave  me!  I 
was  to  open  it  when  I  was  tired.  {Opens  parcel.) 
{Enter  Melody  L.  unobserved.  A  beautiful  woman 
in  white,  with  shining  hair  and  bright  eyes.  She 
carries  a  basket  of  flmvers;  and  watches  Every  child 
open  her  parcel  and  take  out  a  wooden  whole-rest.) 
Ah,  it's  a  rest!    How  kind  of  her! 

Melody — {Echoes)    How  kind  of  her! 

Ev — {Looking  up  astonished.)  I  didn't  know 
anyone  was  here. 

Melody — I  only  just  came,  child,  and  I'm 
going  right  away  again. 

Ev — I  wish  you  would  stay.  You  are  so 
beautiful. 

Melody — You  and  I  are  quite  old  friends. 
Don't  you  know  that? 

Ev — ^I'm  sure  I  never  saw  you,  nor  anyone  half 
so  beautiful  before.     Do  you  live  in  the  world  too? 

Melody — No.  I  live  here  in  the  land  of 
Harmony.  I'm  quite  a  necessary  person  here. 
I'm  needed  everywhere.  It's  true  you've  never 
seen  me  before,  but  how  many,  many  times  you 


EVERYCHILD 

have  heard  me!  Nearly  everybody  knows  me  a 
Httle  and  some  people  know  me  very  well.  Have 
you  never  been  so  happy  that  your  heart  has  sung 
in  tune  with  all  the  Universe?  I  was  with  you 
then.  Can't  you  guess  who  I  am?  {The  descend- 
ing chromatic  scale  is  heard.  Everychild  is  fright- 
ened and  cries  out.) 

Ev— What  was  that? 

Melody — ^Here  comes  the  Fairy  Flat. 

{Everychild  starts  to  run  out  R.  Melody  runs  after 
her,  laughing,  and  drags  her  back  by  the  arm;  as  Flat 
enters  wearing,  hunter's  green,  a  crown  ornamented 
by  a  Flat  in  the  front,  carrying  a  wand;  peering 
about  suspiciously.  He  sees  Melody  and  Every- 
child.)    {Frowns.) 

Flat — Why  are  you  so  terrified?  Am  I  so 
frightful,  then? 

Melody — Don't  scold  her,  Flat.  Any  stranger 
would  be  afraid  in  this  great,  dark  forest  of  yours. 
We  don't  all  love  it  as  you  do.  Some  of  us  need 
the  sunshine  at  times. 

Flat — {Mollified)  Then  it's  not  my  looks  that 
frightened  her? 

27 


EVERYCHILD 

Ev — (Aside)  He  must  be  a  vain  creature. 
(Aloud)  It  was  not  your  looks.  You  see  I'm  a 
stranger  here — and — well — I  fancy  I'm  nervous. 

Flat — Been  with  Ragtime,  eh? 

(Exit  Melody  R.  quietly,  unobserved.) 

Ev — No.  (Looks  around  for  Melody)  Why, 
where  did  she  go? 

Flat— Who? 

Ev — That  beautiful  woman  who  was  here  a 
moment  ago? 

Flat — Oh,  Melody !  She  comes  and  goes  when- 
ever and  wherever  she  likes.  One  can't  keep  track 
of  her  nowadays.     (Sits  on  rock  L.  rear.) 

Ev — So  that  was  Melody!     I  love  her! 

Flat — Some  people  don't.  There  are  even 
those  who  would  like  to  make  way  with  her. 

Ev — Terrible !  There  can  never  be  such  wicked 
people  as  that.     (Sits  on  rock  R.) 

Flat — But  there  are.  Where  do  you  come 
from?  By  your  looks  I  should  judge  you  have 
come  from  some  very  distant  place. 

Ev — You  are  right.     I  live  in  the  world. 


EVERYCHILD 

Flat — ^You  don't  say.  How  did  you  get  way 
up  here? 

Ev — I  saw  a  ladder — so  I  climbed  up,  of  course 
— anyone  would — and  well — ^here  I  am! 

Flat — Then  you  must  love  music. 

Ev — I  do — But  it's  awfully  hard  work,  isn't  it? 

Flat — That's  what  they  all  say.  The  success- 
ful ones  and  the  unsuccessful  ones.  And  you  find 
it  hard  even  though  you  love  it?  {Walks  up  and 
down.  Clasps  hands  behind  him.)  Well,  I've 
been  in  the  music  business  several  himdreds  of 
years 

Ev — {Incredulously)     Several  hundred? 

Flat — Oh,  yes.  Didn't  you  know  that  music 
is  as  old  as  Time?  Yes,  several  himdreds  of  years 
— and  though  I  don't  say  there  aren't  difficulties, 
oh,  yes,  there  are  difficulties  and  dangers — still — • 
on  the  whole,  I  wouldn't  call  it  hard  work  because 
it's  so  beautiful! 

Ev — ^Yes,  it  is  very  beautiful,  but 

Flat — ^Now  take  other  kinds  of  business — I'd 
call  them  hard  because  they  have  no  beauty. 


EVERYCHILD 
Beauty  makes  everything  easier,  don't  you  think 

80? 

Ev— Oh,  yes. 

Flat — In  the  Land  of  Harmony  we  are  all 
beautiful. 

Ev — {Aside)     Now,  I  know  he's  vain. 

Flat — We  eat  beauty,  and  we  drink  it,  and  we 
never  lose  our  beauty  sleep.  For  just  as  soon  as 
any  of  us  gets  ugly,  we  are  wisked  off  to  the  Land 
of  Discord. 

Ev — ^The  Land  of  Discord.     Tell  me  about  that. 

Flat — If  you  wouldn't  interrupt  I'd  get  on 
faster.  Everything  is  ugly  there.  Everything. 
{Shakes  head  gloomily.) 

Ev — It  must  be  terrible  to  have  to  be  there  then. 

Flat — ^Awful  indeed.     Quite  terrible. 

Ev — Where  is  this  place? 

Flat  (Pointing)  Way  off  there.  You  will 
have  to  take  the  air  route.     Vibration. 

Ev — (Aside)     Now  if  I  say  I'm  going  the  other 

way  he'll  never  know  I'm  going  to  see  the  Fairy 

Sharp.     (Aloud.)     Then  I'll  go  the  other  way. 

(Turns  R.)     Goodbye.     I  don't  want  to  land  in 

30 


EVERYCHILD 

Discord.  I'm  glad  you  told  me  about  beauty 
making  things  easier.     I'll  remember  that. 

{Exit  Everychild  R.  As  she  leaves  Flat,  she  be- 
gins to  run.)  {Music  begins  "  Catch  me  if  you  can. ' ' 
Flat  gazes  after  her  in  surprise.     Scratches  his  head .) 

Flat — I'll  wager  she's  gone  to  Sharp.  She 
intended  to  all  the  time.  But  I'll  catch  her. 
{Runs  out  after  her.  Soon  he  brings  her  back,  drag- 
ging her  against  her  will.)  So  you  would  go  off  to 
Sharp  and  leave  me!  Ho,  ho.  That  was  why 
you  were  so  frightened.  But  now  I've  got  you, 
you'll  stay  and  dance  with  me.  {Begins  to  dance 
with  her,  'pulling  her  about  mercilessly.  He  shouts 
and  capers  and  she  follows  him,  perforce,  with  un- 
willing feet. 

Everychild  gasps  in  fright.  The  scene  grows 
darker,  and  Jirejlies  glimmer  here  and  there.  Flat 
still  goes  on  with  the  dance,  exulting  in  Every- 
child* s  misery.)  So  you  would  try  to  deceive 
me!     {Laughs  wildly)     You  would,  you  would! 

{Enter  Melody  running.) 

Melody — Stop,  stop!  Would  you  kill  her, 
Flat?  Have  you  no  mercy?  {Flat  stops  dancing 
31 


EVERYCHILD 

and  hangs  his  head.  Melody  hastens  to  Every  child 
and  catches  her  in  her  arms  as  she  falls  back  fainting , 
Melody  points  commandinglyy  L.  Flat  obeys  and 
goes  out  L.  Melody  lays  Everychild  gently  on  the 
ground,  and  takes  out  a  flower  from  her  basket  and 
holds  it  to  Everychild' s  nose.  Ev  opens  her  eyes.) 
It's  all  right.  Smell  this  again  and  you  will  forget 
all  the  unpleasantness. 

Ev — {Smelling  the  flower)  Ah,  how  very  sweet. 
{Rises  and  stretches  out  her  arms  in  comfort  and  re- 
lief.) I  feel  so  well!  So  well  and  happy  now. 
I  must  be  on  my  way.  On  my  way.  {Exit 
Everychild  and  Melody,  arms  entwined  in  a  loving 
embrace  R.) 

CURTAIN 

Music.     ''Entreating  Child.'' 


32 


SCENE  III. 

The  Mountain  of  Struggle. 

The  chromatic  scale  ascending  is  heard  as  the  cur- 
tain rises.  It  is  very  light.  A  green  field  stretches 
before  us  in  calm  dignity.  The  sky  is  blue  and 
cloudless.  There  are  flowers  growing  everywhere. 
On  the  right  are  tall  and  stately  trees  with  white 
birches  scattered  among  the  more  sturdy  trees.  Mossy 
mound  L. 

{Enter  Everychild  L.  Breathless  and  exhausted.) 

Ev — What  a  beautiful,  sunny  spot.  I  love 
these  green  fields.  I  must  have  reached  the  top 
of  the  Mountain  of  Struggle.  IVe  climbed  until 
I'm  dead  tired.  How  bright  and  fresh  every- 
thing looks.  This  is  the  most  beautiful  spot  of  all. 
(Sinks  down  on  mound  L.  in  comfort.)  I'm  so  glad 
to  be  here  at  last.  I  only  wish  Melody  hadn't 
left  me  so  soon.  But  she  said  I  wouldn't  need  her 
any  more   and  went  off. 

The  chromatic  scale  ascending  is  heard.)  (Enter 
33 


EVERYCHILD 

Sharp  R.  laughing.  He  wears  a  rose  colored  suit 
and  a  crown  in  the  shape  of  a  sharp.  He  carries  a 
wand.) 

Sharp — Hello,  Everychild. 

Ev — (Astonished)  How  did  you  know  my 
name? 

Sharp — Because  I  know  Everychild  loves  music 
and  no  one  can  come  up  here  who  doesn't  love 
music.     What  can  I  do  for  you,  little  one? 

Ev — Oh,  I  do  like  you  so  much,  and  I  love  your 
beautiful  mountain  and  your  green  fields  and 
splendid  trees. 

Sharp — It  is  nice  on  the  top  of  the  Mountain 
of  Struggle,  but  it's  a  hard  climb   isn't  it? 

Ev — (Rising)  But  I  knew  it  would  be  hard 
when  I  started.  You  see  I'm  only  a  little  girl. 
I  live  in  the  world  and  I  climbed  up  the  scale 
ladder  to  Harmony  Land — and  I  found  (hangs 
head)  that  because  I'd  been  careless  in  my 
practising  poor  little  Sol  had  been  captured  by 
the  witch  Error  and  taken  to  the  Land  of  Dis- 
cord— and  now — she  will  lose  her  beauty.  So  I 
34 


EVERYCHILD 

have  travelled  all  this  way  to  ask  you  to  help  me 
rescue  her. 

Sharp — (Sympathetically)  If  Everychild  works 
as  hard;  as  that  she  deserves  what  she  asks  for. 

Ev — Oh,  will  you  help  me? 

Sharp — We'll  go  at  once  and  rescue  little  Sol. 
Arejyou'afraid  to  ride  Vibration  with  me? 

Ev — ^I  don't  know,  IVe  never  seen  him. 

Sharp — (Laughing)  You  can't  see  him  but 
he  will  carry  us  as  swiftly  as  the  wind,  and  before 
you  know  it,  we'll  be  in  the  Land  of  Discord. 

Ev — ^Yes,  yes.    Let  us  go. 

Sharp — ^And  on  the  way,  I'll  explain  the  Magic 
sign  to  you. 

(Calling)     Vibration! 

(There  is  a  sound  of  rushing  wind  and  Every- 
childjand  Sharp  are  caught  up  by  some  unseen 
thingland  seem  to  fly  out  R.  The  ascending  chro- 
matic scale  is  heard.) 

CURTAIN 

Music.     "The  Knight  of  the  Hobby  Horse** 


S5 


Music,     "  Frightening. " 

SCENE  IV. 

Land  of  Discord. 

It  is  rather  dark.  Black  crags  and  half  dead 
trees  form  the  background.  No  sky  is  visible. 
Error y  dressed  in  a  hideous  green  sits  on  throne  in 
center,  rear.  She  wears  a  silver  crown  and  carries 
a  silver  scepter.  Dissonances  surround  her,  ever 
restlessly  moving.  A  cage  stands  L.  center,  in  which 
Sol  is  seen  wearing  an  ugly  mask.  Ragtime,  dressed 
in  brown,  ragged  clothes,  carries  clappers,  and 
limps  up  and  down  with  unsteady  steps.  The  air 
is  jUled  with  the  hoots  of  owls,  and  the  croaking  of 
frogs  and  ravens, 

1st  Dissonance — Oh,  let  me  decide! 

Error — ^You  shall  come  to  no  resolution  here. 

2nd  Dissonance — I  must  form  a  resolution. 
What  has  happened  to  my  will? 

Error — It  is  no  longer  your  will,  but  mine. 

Slaves — {On  knees  before  Error)     We  beg,  we 
implore  you  to  give  us  back  our  wills. 
86 


EVERYCHILD 

Error — Back,  back — ^what  do  you  mean  by- 
such  actions?  Must  my  slaves  be  my  masters? 
Away  with  you! 

{Slaves  rise  and  stand  conquered  but  not  subdued, 
beside  her  throne.) 

Ragtime — {From  wings  R.)  I  see  no  enemy 
about.  If  only  I  might  have  one  good  battle  with 
Rhythm,  there  would  be  one  less  misery  for  us 
here. 

Error — I  would  that  could  be. 

Ragtime — Can  you  think  of  no  way  to  bring  it 
about? 

Error — ^Perhaps,  someday.  Perhaps.  {Bows 
head  in  thought.     Ravens  croak.) 

{To  slaves.)  Bring  me  some  ugliness.  I  am 
hungry. 

{Exit  slaves  L.  and  R.  rear.) 

{Sol  moans.) 

Error — Silence,  hussy!  Or  I'll  send  you  to 
the  garden  of  the  Minor  Mode.  Isn't  your  cage 
comfortable? 

Sol — Oh,  dear,  I  hate  this  ugly  place.  What 
good  does  it  do  you  to  make  us  all  so  miserable? 
37 


EVERYCHILD 

Error — ^Are  you  so  miserable?  I  am  glad. 
{Laughs  hoarsely.) 

Sol — I  hate  your  dark  crags,  and  dreary,  half- 
dead  trees.  I  hate  those  awful  noises  and  the 
darkness. 

Error — {Sarcastically)  Go  right  on.  Go  right 
on. 

Sol — If  Everychild  would  only  be  sorry  and  try 
to  correct  her  fault,  then  I  might  be  free  again, 
and  happy,  and  beautiful! 

{Enter  slaves  carrying  trays  of  dark,  unwhole- 
some looking  food.  They  are  offered  to  Error^ 
who  takes  somey  then  to  Sol,  who  turns  away, 
shuddering.) 

Oh,  take  that  awful  stuff  away.  I  cannot  bear 
ugliness!  {The  ascending  chromatic  scale  is  heard, 
Sol  listens,  tensely  holding  the  bars  of  her  cage. 
Error  looks  up  frightened.) 

Error — {Under  her  breath)  The  Fairy  Sharp! 
{To  slaves)     The  net!  quickly  the  net! 

{Slaves  hasten  out  L.  but  stumble  over  each  other  in 
bringing  in  the  net.  So  Everychild  enters,  then 
Sharp. 

38 


EVERYCHILD 

Ragtime  rushes  towards  them  clapping  his 
clappers. 

Error  rises.  Her  dishes  clatter  to  the  ground, 
Everychild  holds  out  her  arms,  and  Sharp  crosses 
them  with  his,  making  the  sign  of  the  sharp.) 

Ragtime — ^The  magic  sign! 

Error — {Gasping)  The  sign  of  the  sharp! 
{Totters  backwards,  helpless.  Ragtime  limps  off 
L.  Door  of  cage  comes  open  and  mask  falls  from  SoVs 
face.     She  steps  out  towards  Everychild.) 

Sol — {Happily)  Oh,  Everychild,  you  have 
made  me  beautiful  again!) 

{Everychild  runs  to  Sol,  and  takes  her  in  her  arms.) 

Ev — I'm  so  sorry  for  you.  It  was  all  my  fault, 
I  know.  You  have  been  in  great  trouble,  but  now 
you  are  free  again.     Come! 

Sharp — Quick,  children.  {Calls)  Vibration.  {To 
Sol  and  Everychild.)     Make  haste. 

{Sol,  Everychild  and  Sharp  hasten  R.  There  is 
the  sound  of  rushing  wind,  and  exeunt,  flying. 
Error  faints.     Ragtime  claps  and  rages.) 

Slaves — {call  out)  We  have  formed  our  reso- 
39 


EVERYCHILD 

lution!    We  will  go  to  the  garden  of  the  Minor 
Mode. 

{Slaves  exeunt  R.  laughing  shrilly.) 

CURTAIN 

Music.     ''Important   Event.*' 


40 


Music.     "  Contentment . ' ' 
SCENE  V. 
Same  as  Scene  I. 

The  Major  family  are  seated  in  the  scale  form,  as 
in  scene  /,  vrith  a  vacant  place  left  for  Sol. 

Re — It's  a  long  time  since  Everychild  left  us, 
I  hope  she  passed  through  the  Valley  safely,  after 
that  she  will  be  all  right. 

Father  Do — She  is  a  dear  child. 

Mother  Do — Almost  like  one  of  our  own. 

Mi — I  am  glad  Everychild  loves  music  or  we 
should  never  have  known  her. 

Fa — Yet  if  it  hadn't  been  for  her,  Sol  would 
never  have  been  captured  by  the  Witch.  It 
must  be  terrible  to  be  ugly ! 

La — You  seem  to  forget  that  Everychild  is 
truly  sorry.  She  has  travelled  through  the  Valley 
and  over  the  Mountain  to  show  her  penitence. 
{Mother  Do  nods  her  approval.) 

{Enter  Melody ,  passing  by  the  gates.) 
41 


EVERYCHILD 

Si — {Catching  sight  of  her.)     Oh,  Melody! 

{All  rise  and  rush  towards  her  as  she  turns  and  en- 
ters the  gate.) 

Melody — {Laughing)    What  a  hubbub! 

Re — ^Have  you  seen  Every  child? 

Melody — ^A  little  girl? 

Mi— Yes. 

Melody — ^Yes,  I  saw  her  in  the  Valley,  and  she 
tried  to  run  away  from  the  Fairy  Flat.  Which  was 
foolish. 

Fa — ^Yes,  for  he  could  easily  catch  her. 

Melody — So  I  took  her  back  to  him,  and  told 
him  his  forest  was  dark  enough  to  frighten  any- 
body, and  as  long  as  it  wasn't  his  looks  that 
frightened  her  he  didn't  care.  I  saw  that  she 
got  safely  away  too. 

Mother  Do — ^How  good  of  you.  Melody.  We 
all  do  love  to  run  away  from  things  that  we  don't 
know  about,  when  if  we'd  only  stay  and  get  ac- 
quainted, we'd  perhaps  find  we  liked  them. 

{The  ascending  chromatic  scale  is  heard.) 

All — ^Ah,  Sharp  is  coming! 

La — ^Will  Every  child  be  with  him?     ^ 
42 


EVERYCHILD 

Si — ^And  Sol — ^Have  they  brought  her  home,  I 
wonder. 

{AU  stand  and  gaze  upwards.) 

R.E — ^Yes,  I  see  them       There  are  three. 

Mi — Oh,  Everyehild  I'm  so  glad  you*re  back 
again! 

Mother  Do — ^Dear  little  Sol! 

{Enter  Sol  L,  and  runs  to  Mother  Do  who  em- 
braces her, 

{Enter  Everyehild  and  Sharp.) 

Fa — So  you  were  successful. 

Sharp — I  should  say  so.     You  ought  to  be 
grateful  to  Everyehild.     She  has  worked  hard. 

Father  Do — {Embracing  Sol)    My  little  daugh- 
ter. 

{Exit  Melody  quietly,  unobserved  except  by  Every- 
ehild.) 

Ev — Was  that  Melody  who  just  went  out? 

La — Yes.     She  told  us  that  she  met  you  in  the 
Valley. 

Ev — I  wish  she  hadn't  gone  away.     I  wanted 
to  see  her  again. 

Si — ^You'll  meet  her  often  again. 
43 


EVERYCHILD 

Father  Do — ^Everychild,  we  thank  you 

Ev — Oh,  Father  and  Mother  Do,  I  am  beginning 
to  understand  many  things  that  I  didn't  even  care 
about  before.  I  should  really  thank  you.  I 
never  knew  how  much  beauty  there  is  in  life  xmtil 
I  saw  the  ugliness  in  Discord. 

Mother  Do — I  hope  your  experience  has  helped 
you  as  much  as  you  have  helped  us. 

Ev — ^And  now  I  suppose  my  own  Mother  will  be 
glad  to  have  me  home  again,  so  I  had  better  go. 

Sharp — And  leave  us  ?  Why  Every  child  should 
live  in  the  land  of  Harmony.     Stay  with  us ! 

Ev — I  cannot  stay.  I  must  go  back  to  the 
world,  but  I  will  carry  as  much  of  Harmony  away 
with  me  as  my  heart  will  hold,  (wistfully)  be- 
cause I,  too,  want  to  be  beautiful! 

(All  embrace  her^  and  walk  to  gate.) 

Father  Do — ^There,  can  you  find  your  way 
down  the  scale  ladder? 

Ev— Yes.     Good-bye  all! 

Sharp — You  won't  forget  old  Sharp  will  you? 

Ev — No,  nor  any  of  you! 
44 


EVERYCHILD 

(The  major  scale  descending  is  heard  as  Every- 
child  descends  the  scale  ladder.) 


CURTAIN 


45 


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